This list of best places to see in Andorra It will help you prepare your trip to one of the smallest and most charming countries in the world.
Located in the Pyrenees, between Spain and France, this small country will make you fall in love with its landscapes of pure nature that occupy 90% of the territory, including lakes, mountains of more than 2500 meters and up to three natural parks.
In addition to hiking and winter sports such as skiing, we recommend you take a route through the Romanesque churches, visit a small medieval town, relax in a spa and go shopping in Andorra la Vella, its capital.
The most common way to get to Andorra is to land in Barcelona and rent a car or take a bus, which will take you in about 3 hours to the principality.
Based on the numerous times we have visited this country, we have made this list of essential places to visit in Andorra. We start!
1. Romanesque Churches
One of the best things to do in Andorra It is a route by car through the most beautiful Romanesque churches. Keep in mind that there are more than 40 small churches built between the end of the eighth and thirteenth centuries, which have been maintained in good condition thanks to the isolation and absence of wars in the history of this country.
One of the common characteristics of all these churches is the use of slate stone in its construction, the bell towers are shaped like a square plan and some retain medieval wall paintings and wood carvings.
Among the churches that you cannot miss are the church of Sant Climent de Pal, that of Sant Romà in Les Bons, that of San Martí de La Cortinada, that of Santa Coloma in Andorra la Vella, Sant Sergi de Nagol, that of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters and that of Sant Joan de Caselles.
Church of Sant Joan de Caselles
2. Andorra la Vella
Andorra la Vella, located more than 1000 meters high and surrounded by mountains, is the capital and one of the most essential places to see in Andorra.
This city has a beautiful historic center full of stone buildings in which the Casa de la Vall stands out, from the end of the 16th century and was the headquarters of the General Council, one of the oldest parliaments in Europe. Other of the oldest buildings in the center are the Church of San Esteve from the 12th century, the Guillermó House and the Felipó House.
Other less ancient interesting places are the Plaça del Poble with the sculpture "Homage to the Immigrant", the sculpture The Noblesse du Temps from Dalí, the Paris Bridge and Meritxell Avenue, the most commercial street in the city with many shops that will take you to the neighboring town of Escaldes-Engordany.
In case you like shopping very much, if you have not seen enough stores on this street, you can go to one of its shopping centers such as Pyrenees or Illa Carlemany.
Andorra la Vella, one of the places to see in Andorra
3. Tristaina lakes
The Lagos or Estanys de Tristaina, are three high mountain lakes that form one of the most beautiful natural landscapes to visit in Andorra.
In addition, this excursion is one of the most popular in Andorra as it has a moderate difficulty, suitable for all hikers, provided you are well equipped in case the weather changes.
To start this circular route of 4.4 kilometers you will have to move to the parking lot of the Restaurant La Coma, located next to the ski resort of Ordino Arcalís. During the 3 hours that the route lasts on average, duly marked with yellow lines, you will reach a maximum height of 2,300 meters and you will reach the lake of Més Amunt, in a circular way and surrounded by mountains between which is the Tristaina peak, of 2,878 meters.
Another route with low difficulty is the one that is done by the Vall d'inches, where the Estanys de Juclar, a small high mountain lakes.
Estanys de Juclar
4. Villages to see in Andorra
Nestled between the mountains, there are a series of stone villages and slate roofs for which it seems that time has stopped.
Among the most beautiful villages to see in Andorra are:
- Pal: this photogenic town built on a hillside, is one of the best preserved sets of Romanesque in which stands out its beautiful church and its houses of stone and wood.
- Les Bons: this town has in the Tower of the Moors and the church of Sant Romà with beautiful Romanesque paintings (the original ones are the MNAC of Barcelona), its two great jewels.
- Ordino: It is the cultural capital of Andorra having several museums such as the Postal Museum and the Areny-Plandoli house.
- Fontaneda: one of the smallest and most isolated villages, with unpaved streets full of charm that has become another place to see in Andorra.
- Llorts: It is a charming town through which the reddish river Valira del Norte passes and is the starting point of the Ruta del Hierro, one of the best excursions to do in Andorra.
Villages to see in Andorra
5. Naturlandia
Naturlandia, located in the municipality of Sant Julià de Lòria, is the best amusement park to visit in Andorra.
In this park for all ages, you will find lots of fun outdoor activities surrounded by a privileged environment of more than 800 hectares of forest.
The complex is divided into two parts, one located at 1600 meters where most attractions are concentrated and another at 2000 meters, which serves as the start of some of its most vertiginous activities such as the Tobotronc, the longest alpine slide in the world with more than 5 kilometers in length and a drop of 400 meters.
If you have not released enough adrenaline with the Tobotronc, you can always climb the Airtrekk, a wooden structure over 13 meters high full of obstacles and with a 180 meter zip line.
Visiting hours: every day from 09h to 17h.
Our recommended hotel in Andorra
Our recommended accommodation for Andorra is the Acta Arthotel, located in the heart of Andorra la Vella and with a spa with sauna and Turkish bath.
Another good option is the Metropolis Hotel located in Escaldes, 150 meters from the commercial area of Andorra, the Caldea spa and the new spa center, Inúu. It is also well located to access all the ski slopes of the principality.
6. Chaldea
Caldea, located in Escaldes-Engordany, is the most famous hot spring spa to see in Andorra and one of the largest in Europe.
This thermal complex attracts attention at first sight for its 80 meter high pyramid-shaped tower and its futuristic design. Inside you can enjoy modern facilities and all kinds of bathrooms that will improve your well-being through the healing properties of the waters and the most specialized treatments, in an environment of absolute tranquility.
To make the reservation or more information you can consult this page.
Chaldea
7. Skiing in GrandValira, one of the things to do in Andorra
Another of the best things to do in Andorra It is skiing or snowboarding in GrandValira, the largest station in southern Europe with more than 210 kilometers divided into 138 tracks.
In addition to the good quality of snow during the winter, this station offers all the comforts such as numerous hotels on the slopes, restaurants, coffee shops, children's areas and other activities for people who do not ski like these.
If you come in summer, a part of the tracks become the highest golf course in Europe, located more than 2200 meters high, which is another place to see in Andorra.
For more information and to make the reservation you must visit their website.
Skiing in Grandvalira, one of the things to do in Andorra
8. Roc del Quer Viewpoint
The Mirador Roc del Quer de Canillo, is a viewpoint with spectacular panoramic views of the entire natural environment of the Pyrenees, and another of the places to see in Andorra.
This old viewpoint that had two wooden benches located on the edge of the mountain, has been transformed into a walkway with part of the transparent ground 20 meters long, of which 12 are suspended over the Canillo Valley.
The entrance to the viewpoint is free and is only closed in winter, when access is blocked by snow.
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Bridges of Andorra
In addition to churches, the Romanesque also helped civil architecture by leaving several stone bridges that have become over time, another tourist attraction to visit in Andorra.
Among the most beautiful is the Margineda Bridge, built in the 12th century on the Valira River, which is the oldest and largest with its 33 meters long.
Another single-arch stone bridge that will immediately transfer you to the Middle Ages is that of Sant Antoni de la Grella, which formerly allowed Adorra la Vella to La Massana.
Other interesting bridges to see in Andorra are the Pont dels Escalls and the Pont d'Engordany, both located in Escaldes-Engordany.
Bridges to visit in Andorra
10. Sanctuary of Meritxell
Visiting the Sanctuary of Meritxell, the most important religious temple in the country, is another of the essential things to do in Andorra.
This church, which has the title of Minor Basilica and is part of the Mariana Route, suffered a fire in 1972 that burned most of the sanctuary and the ancient carving of the Virgin of Meritxell.
The temple was rebuilt by the architect Ricardo Bofill, mixing different styles in harmony with the environment and a copy of the size that is kept inside was also made.
Visiting hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free entrance.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of 10 essential things to see and do in Andorra, add yours in the comments.
